Glass House Reunion Brings Brass Legends Together at Jazz Fest

By I May. 2, 2005

With such a high concentration of talent in such a small town, it’s no wonder that players in New Orleans switch bands like free agents. Nowhere is that more true than in the brass band community, the center of which was, for many years, a tiny club called the Glass House.

On Saturday, April 30, under menacing clouds and rain, the Jazz Fest reunited a huge crew of top brass players who spent countless nights and early mornings playing at the legendary spot for a Glass House Reunion, which one local DJ said was the best music he’s seen at the Fairgrounds this year.

Sousaphone staple, Kirk Joseph joined Gregory Davis and Efram Townes on on trumpet, Roger Louis and Kevin Harris on saxes and Lionel Battiste, Jr., Jennell Marshall and Benny Jones on drums for a rousing hour-long set that had the crowd second lining and cheering as if the sky were sunny and the ground were dry. Despite not playing together as regularly these days, the group knocked out tight horn lines and solos, including one bubbling baritone solo by Lewis that must have been inspired by the energy onstage.

With Dirty Dozen reunion shows all over town and the new brass band stage at the Fairgrounds, this native New Orleans music is finally starting to get its due credit.

Later, Ike Turner closed out the blues tent, featuring a backup singer whose vocal tone and even her appearance resembled Tina Turner’s a little too closely, audience members said during the set. Other festival highlights included Roy Haynes’ 80th birthday celebration and Nicholas Payton’s Sonic Trance set in the Jazz Tent.